In February 2021, Moscow hosted the 7^th International Contest of Young Performers of Classical, Modern and Folk Dance – DANCEMOSCOW. The contest targeted students and graduates of state-owned dance academies, schools, colleges and lyceums, as well as performers of professional and amateur companies, ensembles and dance theaters. 

Students of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy competed in many nominations of the ProfessionalsCategory. Arina Denisova and Eva Sergeenkova, who are in their graduation year at the Academy, were awarded 1^st Grade Diplomas in the Classical Solo nomination for 16-25 y.o. performers. The company of 3^rd year students was awarded 1^st Grade Diploma in the Classical Ensembles and Short Pieces nomination for 12-15 y.o. performers. Juniors, 3^rd and 4^th year students were awarded 1^st Grade Diploma in the Classical Ensembles and Short Pieces nomination for 12-15 y.o. performers. Artemy Titarenko (2^nd year, secondary education) and Bogdan Pleshakov (3^rd year, secondary education) were both awarded 3^rd Grade Diplomas in the Classical Solo nomination for 16-25 y.o. performers. Angelina Akatova and Alexandra Dolya (5^th year) were both awarded 3^rd Grade Diplomas in the Classical Duet nomination for 12-15 y.o. performers. 

The Faculty Council also nominated students from Japan – Mayuko Fujii (3^rd year student) and Rio Nakata, Yumi Kaneda, Oji Fujino, who are about to graduate from the Academy, to participate in the Contest. The Japanese students did quite well – Rio Nakata was awarded 2^nd Grade Diploma, Oji Fujino – 3^rd Grade Diploma in the in the Classical Solo nomination for 16-25 y.o. performers. Mayuko Fujii was awarded 3^rd Grade Diploma in the Classical Duet Nomination, and Yumi Kaneda was awarded a Compliments Diploma. 

Every student presented two classical heritage pieces. Rio Nakata danced the Princess Aurora variation from The Sleeping Beauty and the Esmeralda variation from La Esmeralda. Yumi Kaneda danced the Gamzatti variation from and La Bayadère and the Esmeralda variation from La Esmeralda. Oji Fujino presented the Albert variation from Giselle and the Philippe variation from The Flames of Paris. Mayuko Fujii and Margarita Tyusheva presented variations from La Naïade et le Pêcheur and from Le Pavillon d'Armide.

We would like to use this opportunity to congratulate the students and commend their accomplishments! 

Here are some pictures we took at DANCEMOSCOW. Enjoy the atmosphere of the picturesque ballet festivities.

Photos by Alisa Aslanova